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Renewable Developers LLC is looking at possibly locating a $22.3 million facility in Penrose at the site of the Transylvania Community Airport, on Old Hendersonville Highway five miles east of Brevard, said Matthew Ross, an attorney listed as the business owner's agent on applications filed with the N.C. Utilities Commission.

Several locations in North Carolina and other states are under consideration, but Penrose is the strongest contender, he said.

The proposed power plant would use biomass to generate gas that would fuel electric generators, Ross said. The developers would pursue a potential agreement with Duke Energy to sell the utility energy, he explained.

The technology that would be used to generate electricity at the plant is being seen as a viable source of renewable energy, said Transylvania County Planning and Economic Development Director Mark Burrows. TCPED, along with the county, the Transylvania Partnership and other economic allies, have worked for the past two years to hopefully bring the new power plant to the area, he said.

The process for creating the bio/renewable diesel fuel entails using feed stock, such as wood, agriculture waste or other materials that can be placed in a closed container, and putting it through a gasification system that converts the material into a synthetic gas, similar to natural gas, Ross and Burrows said.

The emissions from the gasification system will be “almost zero,” Ross said, adding that the emissions will be the equivalent of about 27 passenger cars operating 24 hours a day.

Because no incineration is involved, the plant's process of creating energy will be environmentally sound, he said. All the processes would be contained indoors, meaning there should not be any noise or odor issues that would be problematic for residents.

“I know that most of the concerns come from environmentalists, but we are environmentalists, too,” Ross said. “Our aim is to bring in environmentally clean and sustainable technologies.”

New ideas for the development of clean energy technology are always welcome, but there are some points that need to be considered regarding the materials sources that would be used, said Rachel Hodge, executive director of Environmental and Conservation Organization.

“If there is any kind of timber or forest residue used, would clearing new land to get those resources be involved, or is it coming from what already exists?” she asked. “Would we be clearing new land to grow whatever the feed stock would be needed to replenish this material source? Because then it becomes a question of land for energy or land for food.

“Are we clearing land for energy that we could be using for local food production? It all goes back to sourcing this raw material.”

Hodge added that biofuels are typically regarded as a clean, positive way to create energy.

“Biofuels can, in theory, be completely carbon-neutral, which is what we want,” she said.

Carbon neutrality refers to the amount of energy produced being no greater that the amount of energy it takes to make it.

The new power plant would be a boon to Transylvania County in terms of the potential $22.3 million investment, translating into new job creation from a construction aspect as well as new permanent jobs, Burrows said. The first phase of the power plant would employ between 15 to 20 full-time workers.

He admitted that the TCPED office has received comments from members of the public concerned about the plant's impact on the area, environmentally and otherwise.

To address those concerns, project developers in conjunction with TCPED will hold a public information session from 7-8:30 p.m. April 11 in the Rogow Room of the Transylvania County Public Library in Brevard, Burrows said.

Renewable Developers LLC is working with the N.C. Department of Environmental and Natural Resources and other state agencies to receive all necessary permits, but the process could take several months, Ross said.

A decision about the location of the bio/renewable diesel fuel plant is expected to be made by this summer, he said. If the company receives all the required permits in addition to acquiring financing, construction of the facility could begin in late fall of this year.

Once completed, the plant would begin energy production in January of 2015, Ross said.

<p>Transylvania County could become home to a bio/renewable diesel fuel plant, the first of its kind in Western North Carolina, an agent for the proposed project's developers said Tuesday. </p><p>Renewable Developers LLC is looking at possibly locating a $22.3 million facility in Penrose at the site of the Transylvania Community Airport, on Old Hendersonville Highway five miles east of Brevard, said Matthew Ross, an attorney listed as the business owner's agent on applications filed with the N.C. Utilities Commission. </p><p>Several locations in North Carolina and other states are under consideration, but Penrose is the strongest contender, he said.</p><p>The proposed power plant would use biomass to generate gas that would fuel electric generators, Ross said. The developers would pursue a potential agreement with Duke Energy to sell the utility energy, he explained.</p><p>The technology that would be used to generate electricity at the plant is being seen as a viable source of renewable energy, said Transylvania County Planning and Economic Development Director Mark Burrows. TCPED, along with the county, the Transylvania Partnership and other economic allies, have worked for the past two years to hopefully bring the new power plant to the area, he said.</p><p>The process for creating the bio/renewable diesel fuel entails using feed stock, such as wood, agriculture waste or other materials that can be placed in a closed container, and putting it through a gasification system that converts the material into a synthetic gas, similar to natural gas, Ross and Burrows said.</p><p>The emissions from the gasification system will be “almost zero,” Ross said, adding that the emissions will be the equivalent of about 27 passenger cars operating 24 hours a day. </p><p>Because no incineration is involved, the plant's process of creating energy will be environmentally sound, he said. All the processes would be contained indoors, meaning there should not be any noise or odor issues that would be problematic for residents. </p><p>“I know that most of the concerns come from environmentalists, but we are environmentalists, too,” Ross said. “Our aim is to bring in environmentally clean and sustainable technologies.”</p><p>New ideas for the development of clean energy technology are always welcome, but there are some points that need to be considered regarding the materials sources that would be used, said Rachel Hodge, executive director of Environmental and Conservation Organization.</p><p>“If there is any kind of timber or forest residue used, would clearing new land to get those resources be involved, or is it coming from what already exists?” she asked. “Would we be clearing new land to grow whatever the feed stock would be needed to replenish this material source? Because then it becomes a question of land for energy or land for food. </p><p>“Are we clearing land for energy that we could be using for local food production? It all goes back to sourcing this raw material.”</p><p>Hodge added that biofuels are typically regarded as a clean, positive way to create energy.</p><p>“Biofuels can, in theory, be completely carbon-neutral, which is what we want,” she said.</p><p>Carbon neutrality refers to the amount of energy produced being no greater that the amount of energy it takes to make it.</p><p>The new power plant would be a boon to Transylvania County in terms of the potential $22.3 million investment, translating into new job creation from a construction aspect as well as new permanent jobs, Burrows said. The first phase of the power plant would employ between 15 to 20 full-time workers. </p><p>He admitted that the TCPED office has received comments from members of the public concerned about the plant's impact on the area, environmentally and otherwise. </p><p>To address those concerns, project developers in conjunction with TCPED will hold a public information session from 7-8:30 p.m. April 11 in the Rogow Room of the Transylvania County Public Library in Brevard, Burrows said. </p><p>Renewable Developers LLC is working with the N.C. Department of Environmental and Natural Resources and other state agencies to receive all necessary permits, but the process could take several months, Ross said. </p><p>A decision about the location of the bio/renewable diesel fuel plant is expected to be made by this summer, he said. If the company receives all the required permits in addition to acquiring financing, construction of the facility could begin in late fall of this year. </p><p>Once completed, the plant would begin energy production in January of 2015, Ross said. </p><p>Reach Kelley at 828-694-7871 or leigh.kelley@blueridgenow.com.</p>